Welney news

Ducks turn from drab to fab

Ducks turn from drab to fab

Wigeon by Nigel Cooke/WWT Ducks are flocking to the WWT Welney Wetland Centre, in anticipation for their autumn makeover. Drab, dishevelled males arrive back after a hectic summer on their breeding grounds.  Having t

28 September 2016

Marsh harrier with tags spotted

Marsh harrier with tags spotted

Marsh harrier being tagged by Hawk & Owl Trust by Andy Thompson Marsh harriers are seen regularly on our reserve as their favourite hunting grounds are wetlands and reedbeds. A closer look at this individual revea

27 September 2016

Sleepy caterpillars

Sleepy caterpillars

Privet hawk-moth caterpillar At the end of September, keep your eyes peeled for large caterpillars searching for somewhere to spend the winter.  This privet hawk-moth caterpillar crawled into the visitor centre earli

25 September 2016

Todays Sightings

Todays Sightings

Crane x 3 - Lyle Hide Temmincks Stint- Friends Little Stint - Friends Greenshank Green Sandpiper Peregrine Falcon Hobby Ruff Little Ringed Plover

4 September 2016

Sigthings Saturday 3rd September

Sigthings Saturday 3rd September

All hides and Summer walk are open apart from Allport hide which remains closed. Temminck's stint Little stint (Both of above can be seen from Lyle hide feeding together this morning) Common sandpiper Greenshank Green sandpiper Little ringed plover Ringed

3 September 2016

Migration in action

Migration in action

Late summer is an exciting time of year as thousands of birds journey South for the winter. As with any long distance travel, they need to stop and have a rest as well as some food to keep energy levels high! WWT Welney is the perfect place for them to dr

24 August 2016

Rare sawfly found

Rare sawfly found

Willow sawfly larvae by Annabelle Hammond Earlier this month our volunteer, Annabelle Hammond, found this awesome caterpillar whilst managing some of the willow.  It turned out to be a very rare species called the wi

22 August 2016

Water at Friends pool

Water at Friends pool

Water levels are now back to normal on our Friends pool.  This addition of water over the top of freshly rotivated mud will be a combination that birds will find hard to resist! Plenty of feeding opportunities for hungry travellers, it will be interestin

19 August 2016

House martin & swallow spectacle

House martin & swallow spectacle

The house martins and swallows have had a busy breeding season on the reserve this summer; but it's not over yet! Juveniles from early broods are now feeding on the wing alongside the adults.  They can't roost in the nests as there is not enough room, so

18 August 2016

Reserve management works

Reserve management works

Currently the water levels have been lowered on the pools in front of our Nelson-Lyle, Lyle and Friends hides.  This is to allow the reserve team access to create the prefect conditions for birds passing through in late summer and autumn, as well as bird

15 August 2016

Nature photography gallery

Nature photography gallery

Wildlife and nature photographer, Kevin Sawford, has his work on display in the gallery throughout July and August.  A selection of framed, mounted and un-mounted prints, as well as cards, showcase the fantastic way he captures some of the UK's most icon

10 July 2016

Joy at rare wading bird success

Joy at rare wading bird success

Black-tailed godwit pair fencing by Jon Reeves The successful fledging of eight black-tailed godwit chicks at WWT Welney is the highlight of a brilliant, if at times unusual, breeding season. ‘Gary’ the godwit wit

24 June 2016

New behaviour witnessed for rare wading bird

New behaviour witnessed for rare wading bird

Black-tailed godwit male by Emma Brand Staff monitoring the black-tailed godwits at WWT Welney Wetland Centre; have discovered a male individual with two female partners for the first time. These normally monogamous b

16 June 2016

Bridge ramp maintenance 23-25 May

Bridge ramp maintenance 23-25 May

The ramp at the reserve end of the bridge is being repaired Mon 23 - Wed 25 May.  There will only be access to the reserve via the steps down from the bridge. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but have scheduled these dates so as to avoid the ba

20 May 2016

Ducklings take their first steps

Ducklings take their first steps

Shoveler duck with 12 ducklings Ducklings and chicks are starting to appear all over the reserve.  This female shoveler was seen taking to the water on Lady Fen with her 12 fluffy ducklings earlier today.  Great to

19 May 2016